A good opportunity for families to learn and talk about the dangers of methamphetamine use will soon come through TV screens, and area experts have advice on how to make the most of the conversation.

TV stations in the Portland area will show "Crystal Darkness," a 30-minute documentary on the dangers of meth, in a couple of weeks thanks to the efforts of Randy Glanz of Tualatin and Jim White, Portland Crystal Darkness campaign director, to bring the information campaign from Nevada.

Jeff Johnson, fire chief of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, talked recently about what effects on the community responders see from meth use.

Leslie Storm, director of crisis lines for Oregon Partnership, and Leon Rohrer-Heyerly, a Clackamas County behavioral health division program supervisor, shared ideas on preventing youths from trying the drug and tips for families on what to do if they suspect meth use.

Finding helpOn TV: "Crystal Darkness," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 will be broadcast on a number of Portland-based television stations, including KATU (2), KOIN (6) and KGW (8).On the Web: Oregon Partnership: www.orpartnership.org; Clackamas County Community Health's Web site: www.clackamas.us/community_healthBy phone: Oregon Partnership, 503-244-5211, has help lines including YouthLine, 1-877-553-TEEN.In the community: School counselors, family physicians, mental health organizations and support groups, such as Crystal Meth Anonymous, www.crystalmeth.org.

"Methamphetamine is one of those drugs that a family cannot turn their back on and think it will go away," Johnson said.

Emergency responders see the communitywide effects of meth both as medical treatment providers and firefighters, he said. Addicts tend to neglect their health -- and the health, welfare and supervision of their children -- to the point that the situation becomes critical.

Addicts will sometimes break into buildings and try to burn insulation off copper wires and pipes to prepare them for sale, risking starting a fire in surrounding homes, Johnson said.

Storm called an attitude of "not my kids" unrealistic and hazardous because meth is so addictive and quickly devastating.

"Even kids who may be good kids, involved in sports, getting good grades, may try it," Storm said. "Unfortunately, there is a culture of normalcy of drug use among teens."

She urged parents to become well informed and talk to their children and to counter what they may hear about how meth provides energy and is conducive to studying and partying longer.

Storm said parents might try saying: "I know that meth is in high schools. I just want to talk to you about things that can happen if you start using it."

Parents of girls need to warn them about how they might hear how meth is a great way to lose weight, Storm said, only to find that addiction quickly follows and leads to being dangerously thin.

She tells parents to watch for moodiness, depression, irritability, grades slipping, skipping school, weight loss, decreased sleep and changes in healthy friendships, and to seek help rather than take a wait-and-see attitude.

Storm said parents need to be persistent if they suspect a problem, but keep communication channels open with, "I'm not saying you're using it, but if you get into trouble I want you to come to me. There is treatment."

Rohrer-Heyerly, who's worked with families, youths and adults on mental health and addiction problems for 15 years in Clackamas County, urges parents to set aside blame of themselves, their kids and their kids' friends.

And even without warning signs, parents need to keep at it, Storm said, as temptations, peer pressure and availability of the drug grow. Storm suggests following up with: "Have you thought any more about that discussion we had about meth use? Let's talk."